Method, philosophy, work: The pillars behind the best base in Brazil
2018 ends gloriously for the Nest Boys, while the responsibility for 2019 increases
By Lucas Dantas - in
The phrase "Craque, o Flamengo faz em casa" (Craque, Flamengo does it at home) is one of the most famous in Brazilian soccer. And it's certainly something that never gets old or loses its relevance. Year after year, Flamengo continues to produce stars and win in its youth teams. 2018 was a bountiful year. On the field, there were 21 victories. In futsal, where there is no adult team, there were nine. Twenty-three athletes were called up to youth national teams and two to the senior team.
National and international titles were lined up at Gávea across all categories. Stunning goals like Rodrigo Muniz's in the Adidas Cup in March were seen around the world. Stars with extreme potential, like Reinier, stunned Brazil. And three gems went on to conquer the planet. Vinicius Junior was crowned world champion with Real Madrid; Felipe Vizeu has already begun his career at Udinese, and Lucas Paquetá will defend the red and black colors of Milan.
In terms of titles, rest assured that the list is long.
SUB-20:
São Paulo Cup
Guanabara Cup
Campeonato Carioca
Dossena Trophy (Italy)
Otavio Pinto Guimarães Trophy
SUB-17:
Generations Cup Adidas
Guanabara Cup
Evergrande Cup
Copa do Brasil
SUB-16:
Dubai Tournament
William Embry
SUB-15:
Nike Cup
Guanabara Cup
Campeonato Carioca
SUB-14:
Ball Owners
The categories below these also achieved success. U-7, U-8, U-10, U-11... more and more trophies were lifted throughout 2018, demonstrating that Flamengo isn't just a team, but a philosophy. Players move up and down the categories to help in specific matches or competitions. They grow, they change phases, but they don't change the way they play and represent the Mais Querido. As the club's Youth Football Manager, Eduardo Freeland, explains, this is part of Flamengo's playing style, the philosophy implemented from the first category to the senior team.
"The club has very clear guidelines regarding its playing style and form. All categories follow this model. Of course, each coach has their own unique skills and abilities, but Flamengo's style of play is unique, driven by the club's identity, history, and culture. This style of play is based on principles that guide the issues applied across categories, making it much easier for players to move up and down. When an athlete is in one category and moves up to another, or returns, they are very clear that their roles fit within Flamengo's playing model," explains Freeland.
And this is evident in the teams' constant changes. When they won the Copa São Paulo in January, several players had to leave to join the professional team competing in the Campeonato Carioca. Lincoln, Vinicius Junior, Matheus Thuler, Klebinho, Jean Lucas, and Gabriel Batista made room in the team, and coach Mauricio de Souza had to call up players born in 2001, 2000, and even 1998. But since the philosophy and methods are the same, all they had to do was put on the Manto and step onto the field.
The Copinha, in fact, was the fourth in the club's history, the third in a span of seven years. Another example of the philosophy Freeland preached: Players grow and change, but the Flamengo system remains.
"The fact that Flamengo has a clear style of play makes things much easier. Furthermore, it's easy to point out that the club's coaching staff has a formidable working environment, with regular meetings where we discuss methodological issues. The upcoming categories are always in synergy, discussing the athletes. "The coordinators ensure that communication is even stronger between the Technical Committees, which greatly facilitates the athletes' adaptation to playing in the higher or lower categories," says Freeland.
The best youth academy in Brazil, without quotation marks, made 2018 its year, which increases responsibilities for 2019. With the inauguration of the new Ninho do Urubu module for the professional team, the youth divisions will be allocated to the previous module, already one of the best in Brazil and which will still undergo some adaptations.
For Freeland, this will bring logical advantages, but also require new psychological work with the athletes. After all, they are young people at a stage in life where quick enthusiasm is a huge risk and cannot take the place of focus and determination in the pursuit of more titles.
"We believe that the structural aspect is crucial for player development. We can't provide players with a level of comfort that's disproportionate to their current age, lest they lose motivation to take on new challenges in their development. We know the professional module is of the highest level. We'll have to be careful with this adaptation. Expectations are also very high. We're entering a new phase and will be more demanding in terms of results, but we know the quality of the professionals who will inherit this physical structure. We'll have the best hardware to work with the extremely high level of software we have today," says the manager of the red-and-black youth academy.
In fact, few clubs in Brazil have as much youth development as Flamengo. And without these resources, the team has already achieved what it has, so imagine what it can achieve now?
The goal is to win titles and develop players, as it always has been, in addition to developing citizens. Flamengo doesn't just throw its "kids" onto the field and expect routs. There's a whole process behind the preparation, so that players, from the most dedicated to the most distinguished, receive equal treatment, feel part of a collective, and thus, their individual strengths can shine for the benefit of the group.
When a star player begins to emerge, Flamengo already works on three fronts to avoid setbacks along the way. "The fact that he plays for Flamengo already generates expectations and changes in off-field matters. The club must already have a focus on involving this athlete so he stays focused," explains Freeland, who highlights the club's efforts to hone its talents slowly and carefully, which will ultimately benefit everyone.
"The club has a major concern for its most outstanding athletes. First, on the field, maintaining the same relationship with them as we do with others. Demonstrating that it's a team sport, and that individuals will excel when they understand their role within this group. The club, through its competent interdisciplinary team (coordinators, psychologists, social workers, to name just a few), keeps a close eye on each of these players. Furthermore, constant contact with these players' families and agents is also crucial to protecting these athletes as much as possible from external influences that could hinder their development. In this way, we seek to preserve their well-being so they can reach their best potential."
The formula pays off in interviews and in the players' demeanor. The seriousness displayed in the locker room translates into titles on the field and leads to call-ups to Brazil's youth national teams. Twenty-three players were called up in 23, from the U-2018s to the U-14s, and these names practically guaranteed their place the following year, in addition to the new ones constantly emerging.
Flamengo's squad:
U-20: Hugo, Thuler, Patrick, Michael, Vinicius Jr, Lincoln and Vitor Gabriel
U-17: Ramon and Yuri Oliveira
Under-16: Noga, Caio, Daniel Cabral, Reinier and Pedro Arthur
Under-15: Christian, Diegão, João Pedro and Ryan Luka
Under-14: Arthur Silva, Darlan, Vitinho, Matheus França and Petterson
2018 is ending gloriously. But Flamengo wants more. The best youth academy in the country can't stop. Early in 2019, the São Paulo Cup is upon us, and the U-20s will be aiming for their fifth title, as well as their second consecutive. A rare and very difficult feat, but the team boasts many faces from the previous title and new names eager to shine. In 2019, the youth academy is (much) stronger, you can bet on it.